Field test of Switzerland's first local electricity market concluded.

News • Nikolay Chavdarov • 18 February 2020

Households in the world are increasingly producing their own solar electricity. The legal framework stipulates that they can use it but also sell it to the respective electricity distribution companies. The Bulgarian Energy Law also amended the solar panels on the roof in order to stimulate energy from renewable energy sources. Switzerland is taking a step forward in this area. Significant progress has been made in solar power in Switzerland. This is clear from the presented one-year pilot project Quartierstrom covering 37 households in the Walenstadt area. The pilot project ended at the end of January. According to the results of the project, the share of solar electricity produced from the local market and consumed in this unique local market has increased by 27 percent. Otherwise, it would be sold to an external electricity provider (to a local or regional distribution company). On average, the share of solar electricity was about one-third (33%) of household energy consumption per year, increasing twice since the start of the project, without the need for any actions of the supplier.

The entire process of the domestic local market was managed through a blockchain platform without the involvement of a distribution company. The main idea of the Quartierstrom project is to use on-site solar production. Residents of a neighborhood buy and sell solar energy at this local electricity market. It is primarily consumed in consumer households and surpluses are traded in the neighborhood itself. If the solar modules produce more electricity than households, the market community consumes them, and the corresponding electricity company in Walenstadt consumes the electricity. However, when local production is lower, it supplies them with the required quantities. Buying and selling solar energy is handled directly between participants. Manufacturers can use the app to set a minimum price for their solar power. Consumers set the maximum value they are willing to allocate to local electricity. The resulting trade is automatically processed through blockchain.